Interesting article about Clan Gunn...

[macwilkin]

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Fo...lan.5579636.jp

Comments? Thoughts? It would be interesting to see what Iain Gunn of Banniskirk has to say about this as Clan Commander.

T.

[Nick the DSM]

Wow. Out of all the school papers I've read today, thats THE most intresting article I've read today.

Seems like its time to get some coke and popcorn.

[KFCarter]

Interesting... Todd, any idea how this is ultimately decided? Do the various claimants make presentations to the Lord Lyon. And is it up to the Lord Lyon alone to make the call in the end?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Interesting... Todd, any idea how this is ultimately decided? Do the various claimants make presentations to the Lord Lyon. And is it up to the Lord Lyon alone to make the call in the end?

The decision making process is very straight forward-- all claimants will put their genealogical proofs before the Lord Lyon. Lyon will study them, and make a judicial decision as to which of the claimants is nearest male relative of the last recognized chief.

From the article it would appear that there are at least three claimants: The two Mr. Gunn's in the UK, and the descendant (if such exists) of the Gunn who served in the Dutch Army in the 18th century.

The entire process will probably take several years, as Lyon is not apt to rush to judgement in this (or any other) instance.

[dfmacliam]

It will be interesting to see how this falls...at least this man has mentioned, he will put it to the clan to decide.. It sounds like a reasonable thing to do.. If the geneology, and the clan wills it, so be it.... but if anothers lineage is more closer to the source... then...

[macwilkin]

It will be interesting to see how this falls...at least this man has mentioned, he will put it to the clan to decide.. It sounds like a reasonable thing to do.. If the geneology, and the clan wills it, so be it.... but if anothers lineage is more closer to the source... then...

While it sounds all well and good to have the clan vote, that isn't how it's done from the Lyon Court's perspective.* The MacAulays experienced a similar situation several years ago when the Lord Lyon rejected the petition of Commander Ian McMillan MacAulay.

*Let's not turn this into a "bash-the-Lyon-Court" thread, please.

Regardsm

Todd

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

It will be interesting to see how this falls...at least this man has mentioned, he will put it to the clan to decide.. It sounds like a reasonable thing to do.. If the geneology, and the clan wills it, so be it.... but if anothers lineage is more closer to the source... then...

Who, exactly, is the "CLAN"? There are more than 1,000,000 Macdonalds scattered around the world-- who amongst them would vote in a "clan plebiscite"? Only the armigers? Where would the election be held? In Scotland? It's because the "clan" is a legal species of heritable property that disputes to the chiefship are adjudicated in the Court of the Lord Lyon.

His decision isn't based on a popularity poll, or some notion of who is best suited to be the chief, but rather on the discovery of who is the person rightfully entitled to inherit that species of property known as "a clan". Once that decision is made, Lyon invests that person with the "deeds" to the clan he represents-- ie: the undifferenced arms of the clan chief.

[dfmacliam]

I feel the Lyon Court will probably make the best decision based on the information presented. It's not in anyones best interest to make rash decisions.

I had assumed, that the gentleman in question would have pit it to the clan, before approaching the Lord Lyon..

I have a bit of interest in this matter, only because I am
a Wilson, by adoption by my stepfather, but not a
member of Clan Gunn

[beloitpiper]

Fascinating. If he's willing to do whatever work is required then I think he should go for it. It would great to have a chief that isn't from the uppercrusts.

[Highland Logan]

Great find Todd.

Frank